Pneumatically operated pianoforte



Patented Oct. 13, 1931 UNITED STATES {PATENT OFFICE ROBERT HENRY COLLEN,or BLACKWATER, ms: ENGLAND, ass roivoa or om:- HALF T JOHN BROADWOOD &sous Lnn'rm), or nonnomnlvenann PNEUMATICVALLY OPERATED rrmoronrnApplication filed March 29, 1930, Serial No. 440,091, and in GreatBritain July 25, 1929.

This invention relates to pneumatically operated pianofortes moreparticularly of the kind in which some of the valves controlling thenote striking pneumatics are arranged in close proximity to theunderside of the frame upon which the finger-keys are mounted.

This invention has for its object to provide an improved pneumaticallyoperated pianoforte of the aforesaid kind wherein acc'ess may be had tothe valves of all the valvular devices upon the removal of thefingerkeys, and mainly consists in arranging and securing the saidvalvular devices (which are preferably of the kind described and shownin the specification of Letters Patent N o. 1,-

773,662) in proximity to the underside of the said keys and in suchposition relatively to the space between the front rail and balance railof the said frame that the valves of any of the said valvular devicescan be removed and replaced through the said space upon the removal ofthe finger-keys situated above the valve, or valves, to which access isrequired.

If desired, the space between the frontrail 95 and the balance rail ofthe key-frame may be such as to permit the valves and their casingspassing thercthrough so that access may be had to the actuatingdiaphragms beneath the said valves.

The accompanying drawing shows, in section, so much of a pneumaticallyoperated pianoforte as is necessary to illustrate the application of theinvention thereto.

Referring to the drawing the key-frame comprises a front rail 1, abalance rail 2, and a back rail 3, upon which the finger-keys 4 aremounted as hitherto. The key-frame is mounted on a key-bottom boardcomprising a front member 5 and side members 6, the latter of which aresecured, in any suitable manner, to the sides 7, of the pianofortecasing and the former of which is of such width that it does not projectinwardly beyond the rear, or inner side of the front rail 1 of thekey-frame. Secured between the side mem-, bers 60f the key-bottom boardand beneath the space between the front rail 1 and balance rail 2 of thekey-frame is a main suction board 8 to the upper side of which aresecured the valvular devices 9 which are shown as being of the kinddescribed in the specification of Letters Patent No. 1,773,662. Thevalvular devices 9 are arranged in such position on the upper side ofthe main suction board 8 that any of the valves 10 may be removed andreplaced through the space 11 between the front rail 1 and the balancerail 2 of the keyframe upon the removal of the adjacent finger-keys 4and the removal of the nut 12 from the central post 13, the bridge-piece1 1 and the cap-pieces 15, and if desired the valve tion of a toolthrough the space 11 between the front rail 1 and the balance rail 2 ofthe key frame when it is desired to remove and replace the valve casings16 and permits the parts of the said valvular devices being more easilyaccessible when in position.

The note striking bellows, or motors, 19 are preferably arranged intiers at the rear of the main suction board 8 and beneath the balancerail 2 and the back rail 3 of the key frame, passages 20 being formed inthe said suction board by which communication between the respectivebellows, or motors, and the valve chambers is effected.

The tubes 21 between the tracker-bar 22 and the purse pockets 23 of thevalvular devices are preferabl led from the said tracker-bar to a spacebeneath the spool box 24 and then passed therefrom down the sides 7 ofthe pianoforte casing and through an opening in the key-bottom board 5to a pocket 24 formed between the forward part of the main suction board8 and the rear ortion of the front, member 5 of the keyottom board fromwhich pocket they are finally led to the said purse pockets 23.

What I claim is I 1. In pneumatically operated pianofortes, theprovision of means whereby access is obtained to any of the valvulardevices for the adjustment, removal or replacement thereof upon removalof the adjacent finger keys of the instrument, the said means comprisingthe finger keys and key frame and Valvular devices, the key frame havinan unobstructed opening therein of sufliclent length and breadth toenable the whole of the said valvular devices to be passed therethroughon removal of the keys, the valvular devices being housed Within thesaid opening in a position adjacent to and beneath the underside of thesaid finger keys.

2. In pneumatically operated pianofortes, the provision of means wherebyaccess is obtained to any of the valvular devices for the adjustment,removal or replacement thereof upon removal of the adjacent finger keysof the instrument, the said means comprising a key frame having a frontrail and a balance rail spaced from said front rail, and a keyboardbottom having a front member and side members, in combination with asuction board spaced from said front member and secured between saidside members of the keyboard bottom, leaving an unobstructed openingbeneath the finger keys, and valvular devices secured to said upper sideof the suction board between said front rail and front member on the onehand and said bali'lnce rail on the other and beneath the finger *eys.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

ROBERT HENRY COLLEN.

